PH gov’t should ‘explore all legal avenues’ vs China – Estrada

This frame grab from handout video footage taken and released on August 25, 2024 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows a Chinese Coast Guard ship (L) using water cannon against the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Sanday, near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. China’s coast guard said it rescued Filipino “personnel” who fell overboard after a Philippine vessel collided with one of its ships near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, while the Philippine government accused Chinese vessels of ramming and using water cannon against its ship. (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP) /

MANILA, Philippines — The government should “explore all legal avenues” and hold China accountable for its actions against Philippine vessels and personnel, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said on Sunday.

Earlier Sunday, a video taken by the Inquirer showed that China Coast Guard (CCG) Ship 21551 hit BRP Datu Sanday near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In another video, seven CCG vessels were seen firing water cannons against the Philippine vessel.

READ: West PH Sea: China Coast Guard ship rams BFAR vessel near Escoda Shoal

“I urge all concerned government agencies to explore all legal avenues, including the possibility of having an international arbitration to step in to hold China accountable for its repeated and dangerous maneuvers against our vessels,” Estrada said.

“Paulit-ulit na nalalagay sa panganib ang kaligtasan at buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Sobra na. Nanadya na talaga sila para gumamit tayo ng dahas,” he added.

(They repeatedly put the safety and lives of Filipinos at risk. This is too much. They are using excessive force on purpose.)

He also pointed out that no violations were committed against international laws during the conduct of the country’s maritime activities within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“These unprofessional, illegal, and provocative actions by Chinese vessels necessitate a firm response to protect our sovereign rights and ensure the safety of our troops and our maritime operations within our EEZ. By doing so, we can uphold the rule of law and reinforce our commitment to a rules-based international order,” he added.